What is Wado-Ryu?

A unique point about Wado-Ryu is that Wado-Ryu Karate is a mixture of Shinto-Yoshin-Ryu Jujutsu and Karate. Different from other styles of karate that were introduced to Japan from Okinawa, Wado-Ryu was developed entirely on the mainland of Japan.

The name Wado-Ryu comes from the idea of

TEN, CHI, JIN, No RI-DO ni Wa suru. The Kanji TEN means the sky, heaven and the air, CHI stands for the earth, the soil and the ground, JIN represents men, mankind and human beings and RI-DO means reason and truth. WA stands for the sum of a whole, peace and harmony.

These definitions are the Kanji’s’ Literal meanings, but imply many other concepts and symbols which encompass the existing world such as sunlight, rain, harvesting crops, desire love extra.

The phrase TEN, CHI, JIN no RI-DO ni WA suru, connects all these symbols and concepts together with TEN,(sky) CHI(ground) and JIN(human beings) represented as three circles are encompassed by a larger circle called RI-DO(reason).

RI-DO can be used in combination with any of the three basic principles and if those combinations are naturally executed then WA (harmony) is created and that is represented by a larger circle that encompasses all the other principles (see diagram).

Creating harmony (WA) is the most difficult condition to affair in Martial Arts. In order to do this you have to sharpen your intellect not only through physical training but mental training as well.

Whereas sports are concerned with the concept of winning, Martial Arts are concerned with the idea of growing. The struggles we face in training are similar to the ones face in life. We must not train to destroy others but rather to develop our human spirit. The philosophy of Wado-Ryu can help a person grow in any area of life.Creating harmony (WA) is the most difficult condition to affair in Martial Arts. In order to do this you have to sharpen your intellect not only through physical training but mental training as well.